Fender Custom Shop 60's vs SCN's

[epoxo57]

I have a beloved Fender Custom Classic IV that I am curious would sound like with either of these pickups. I'm looking for any experiences you may have with either or both side by side. Since I use both pickups on, the humbucking quality of the SCN's is no big deal; just curious if they are hi-fi. Also, would either be a big improvement compared to the Fender Originals that came with my Geddy (they actually sound pretty good). I tried Nordy NJ4's and they didn't do it for me (nice pups though).

Thanks,
Scott

[epoxo57]

anyone?

[DavePlaysBass]

I love the Fender Custom Shops I have in my 61 J bass strung with TI flats. Punchy, warm, articulate.

[GlennW]

I just put a Custom Shop at the neck in my J and I think it's there to stay.

[Rockin John]

I can't do the comparison you're looking for, but I can tell a story about my USA DLX 5string Jazz (Maple board, TI Jazz Flats) which is factory standard with the SCNs.

Whilst this bass is superb to play, I've never been greatly impressed with the sound. (Yeah, shouldn't have bought it... )

Anyway, there's always been a lot of string noise. Not fingers running over roundwounds type-a noise, just very very percussive sounds from fingerstyle playing. Pat the string hard enough and it sounds like a gunshot! This is a serious issue because the percussive spikes tends to shut the amp down on the Peavey I reherse on. The pitch that follows the spike is therefore hardly sounding so the bass isn't heard!!!!!

I've never heard that sort of sound from a passive bass and I've come to the conclusion that either the Jazz's SCNs are responsible for this, or the its actives, or a combination of both.

Only this morning I adjusted the string positions on the bridge saddles because the strings were over the pup polepieces on the neck pup. This had taken quite a bit of the percussive noise away. Also, at home, I've fiddled with a compressor to see if more of the percussive spikes can be removed. Jury's out atm!!

If it were easy to replace the pups on this bass I would do it. But it seems that most aftermarket pups wont fit the 5er without some body routing, and that's not something I'm prepared to do. In fact I'm not sure that any aftermarkets will drop straight in.

Another thing is that I would happily change this bass to all passive, and I may just give that a try someday.

Well, epoxo57, I'm honestly not sure how / if that helps you but that is my experience on a bass fitted with SCNs.

John

[Mrdak]

Rockin John,
Have you tried lowering your neck pickup just a little? It sounds like your strings are hitting the poles. I may be wrong, but ?

[Williamsburgjim]

I purchased a new MIA Active Jazz 5 earlier this year and can say that I like it over the 99 that I sold. The SCN's definately helped in giving it fuller/warmer sound. I was so used to the brightness of vintage noisless in the 99 that when I first a/b'd the new one before I bought it, I noticed the difference right away. I was thinking, gee is it the wood, but then saw the change in pups.


I still wish Fender would put an active/passive pot on it like the MIV Jazz 24.

Jimbob

[WRBass]

I can't help you with the comparison either. But I have the SCNs in a MIM jazz with an Audere preamp, and they are dead quite, no matter which pickup I solo.

[epoxo57]

Thanks for the input all! I'm still not sure which to go with. I may be ousted, but they would replace Dimarzio J's. Nothing really wrong with the Dimarzios--I'm just a bit curious about what else is out there.

[Funk Factor]

The CS 60's rock!! Got a set in my 60's Classic Jazz and I'm gonna try a set in my Marcus Miller J...not too fond of the stock pups in it

[DavePlaysBass]

If humbucking is not high on your list, I would stick with the singles. What did you not like about the NJ4s?

[Rockin John]

Mr Dak, you are dead right. On closer inspection I realised that the strings did not sit exactly between the poles but more over the bass side pole pieces - if you see what I mean.

Even without hitting the pole pieces there was a serious 'bang', esp. if the string hit the last fret, too. (Don't do slap pop, and play light-ish finger style). On occasion when I did hit string to pole piece it was like a gunshot.

Anyway, there's just enough adjustment on the bridge saddles to correct this, so I did. The bang has almost gone.

I lowered the neck pup, too, and that's helped a bit more. This bass sounds better now for the very first time, since I bought it new in 2004.

To see how much / if at all the electronics unit contributes to the bang I bought a loaded and wired control plate from the Bay. I'll rewire the bass as a fully passive instrument and I've a strong suspicion the string noise will be gone.

Best.

John

[epoxo57]

Originally Posted by DavePlaysBass

If humbucking is not high on your list, I would stick with the singles. What did you not like about the NJ4s?

The NJ4's were kind of "hollow" sounding to me, especially playing a 7th fret B on the E string. Also, it seemed they distorted my onboard preamp, but maybe I just didn't lower them enough (I thought I did). I think they were top notch quality, but again, I have that voracious insatiability to try other pups and find the set that puts the search to an end. The CS 60's are sounding appealing.

Thanks!